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rebus - 6 dictionary results
re⋅bus
[ree-buh
s] 
–noun, plural -bus⋅es.
| 1. | a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables: Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead. |
| 2. | a piece of writing containing many such representations. |
Origin:
1595–1605; < L rēbus by things (abl. pl. of rēs), in phrase nōn verbīs sed rēbus not by words but by things
1595–1605; < L rēbus by things (abl. pl. of rēs), in phrase nōn verbīs sed rēbus not by words but by things
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To rebus
| re·bus (rē'bəs) n. pl. re·bus·es A representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols, often presented as a puzzle. [From Latin rēbus, ablative pl. of rēs, thing; see rē- in Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Rebus
Re"bus\, n.; pl. Rebuses. [L. rebus by things, abl. pl. of res a thing: cf. F. r['e]bus. Cf. 3d things, abl. pl. of res a thing: cf. F. r['e]bus. Cf. 3d Real.]1. A mode of expressing words and phrases by pictures of objects whose names resemble those words, or the syllables of which they are composed; enigmatical representation of words by figures; hence, a peculiar form of riddle made up of such representations. Note: A gallant, in love with a woman named Rose Hill, had, embroidered on his gown, a rose, a hill, an eye, a loaf, and a well, signifying, Rose Hill I love well. 2. (Her.) A pictorial suggestion on a coat of arms of the name of the person to whom it belongs. See Canting arms, under Canting.Rebus
Re"bus\, v. t. To mark or indicate by a rebus. He [John Morton] had a fair library rebused with More in text and Tun under it. --Fuller.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : rebus
Spanish:
escalfado,
German:
pochiert,
Japanese:
落とし卵
rebus
1605, from L. rebus "by means of objects," ablative plural of res "thing, object," perhaps principally from the phrase de rebus quæ geruntur "of things which are going on," in reference to the satirical pieces composed by Picardy clerks at carnivals, subtle satires of current events using pictures to suggest words, phrases or things. Or it may be from the representations being non verbis sed rebus "not by words, but by things."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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rebus
representation of a word or syllable by a picture of an object the name of which resembles in sound the represented word or syllable. Several rebuses may be combined-in a single device or successively-to make a phrase or sentence. Literary rebuses use letters, numbers, musical notes, or specially placed words to make sentences. Complex rebuses combine pictures and letters. Rebuses may convey direct meanings, especially to inform or instruct illiterate people; or they may deliberately conceal meanings, to inform only the initiated or to puzzle and amuse.
Learn more about rebus with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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